Jiang unveils minor Cabinet reshuffle

Source: CNA

Premier Jiang Yi-huah (江宜樺) yesterday announced a minor Cabinet reshuffle involving a total of seven ministers amid growing discontent with the government.

Leading the changes was Deputy Minister of National Defense Andrew Yang (楊念祖), who was promoted to replace Minister of National Defense Kao Hua-chu (高華柱). Kao stepped down to take responsibility for the death of a 24-year-old army conscript on July 4.

Jiang called a press conference to announce the reshuffle, but provided no explanation as to why the changes were being made. The press conference lasted for less than five minutes.

Vice Minister of Finance William Tseng (曾銘宗) was designated to replace Chen Yuh-chang (陳裕璋) as chairman of the Financial Supervisory Commission.

Steven Chen’s position, in charge of coordination of social welfare-related affairs among related government departments, will be filled by Feng Yen (馮燕), a professor at National Taiwan University’s Department of Social Work.

Chen and Feng are both known to be confidants of President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九).

Chen had assisted first lady Chow Mei-ching (周美青) in running the Dwen An Social Welfare Foundation, founded by Ma in 1998, for years.

Feng was an adviser to Ma when he was mayor of Taipei from 1998 and 2004. She is also currently a national policy adviser to the president.

Commander in Chief of the Navy Tung Hsiang-lung (董翔龍) will replace Tseng Jing-ling (曾金陵) as minister of the Veterans Affairs Commission.